Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
Joined 2016
Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station
Kohfukuji Temple and its national treasure museum
Nara Park ( You can enjoy feeding rice-bran crackers to deer.)
Isuien Garden, a strolling-style landscape garden with two different types of gardens built in different ages.
Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall, Nigatsu-do Hall and Hokke-do Hall )
Kasuga Grand Shrine ( Strolling in the cedar forest is very cool and refreshing. )
Local sake tasting at a sake brewery in Nara Machi
Ending Point
Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
lunch, entrance fee ( ￥2900) for Kohfukuji Temple ( the national treasure house ) Isuien Garden and Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall and Hokke-do Hall ) and local sake tasting (￥500) at the sake brewery.
Tour Important Information
This is a walking tour and it is desirable that you wear walking shoes or sneakers. A pet bottle of water is to be carried with you.
Important message from the supplier
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2016
About Tour Guide Yoshihisa T.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
Reviews
“Most Beautiful Autumn Day in Kyoto”
My husband and I had the best day in Kyoto with Yoshie; he truly epitomizes Japanese hospitality and kindness. From initial booking to the end our day at a friendly izakaya, Yoshie guided us through an amazing adventure through Kyoto. We traveled to so many places so efficiently that no time was wasted! Not only did he showed us the best of Kyoto’s sites, he gave us a history lesson at each which helped us understand and appreciate everything so much better. Yoshie had endless energy that amazed us! Better put on your roller skates because Yoshie will happily zig zag you through the most beautiful sites in Kyoto! Thank you Yoshie for giving us an incredible day in Kyoto and sharing your time with us. We hope to see you again!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Hock. Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation for my tour the other day. I am very pleased that you had a lucky chance of visiting Kyoto at the best time of autumn foliage. Especially, the colored maple leaves at Jojako-ji Temple were amazingly beautiful, weren't they? I hope you will come to Kyoto at cherry blossom season someday soon. With best wishes. Yoshie
“Highlight of our Japan Trip - Kyoto!”
My wife and I had a fantastic day exploring Kyoto with Yoshie. We took part in the Golden Route Tour, which covered a lot of ground and showcased breathtaking sights. Yoshie was an outstanding guide—knowledgeable, organized, and fluent in English. If I could give six stars, I absolutely would! It was a real pleasure, Yoshie—thank you! He guided us through all the key historical sites in northern Kyoto and demonstrated a profound understanding of Japanese history. His educational background was evident in how well he conveyed relevant historical information. We had an amazing day that included train and taxi rides, walking 13 km, and visiting incredible attractions. Along the way, we learned a great deal about Japan's history while taking in the stunning fall colors and capturing memorable photos. Yoshie-san is a skilled photographer who recommended perfect spots to highlight the beauty of the places we visited. We wholeheartedly recommend his tour to everyone and suggest taking advantage of his photography skills and knowledge. Thank you again, Yoshie-san!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Pranav-san. I wholeheartedly appreciate your superb review for my tour, revised Golden Route. I also had a pleasant time, guiding and talking with you and your wife. I am delighted to learn that you enjoyed yourselves to the full, including the beautiful autumn scenery and photography. Thanks again for your heartwarming comment, Pranav-san.
“Fabulous tour of Kyoto”
We really enjoyed our tour with Yoshihisa. He really hit the highlights of Kyoto on our daylong tour. It was very well organized and his knowledge of the places we visited added so much to our experiencing one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Japan. I can not more highly recommend using him as your guide. You will not be disappointed.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Alan. I really appreciate your kind review for my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. I had lots of fun guiding and talking with you and your family, too. I hope our paths will cross someday in the near future. Best wishes. Yoshie
$222/ per group
More tours by Yoshihisa T.
My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.
My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who have finished My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour and would like to make a second-day tour in Kyoto. The tour covers most of the main tourist attractions in the eastern area of Kyoto. It also has a couple of choices according to your needs and wishes. I hope you will have a very pleasant tour with me.
Izakaya Hopping & Sightseeing in Minami Area, Osaka
This tour is meant for those who would like to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka and eating and drinking at three izakayas ( Japanese-style taverns ) for relatively reasonable prices in a friendly atmosphere.
Kobe Arima Rokko One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who would like to enjoy a variety of experiences in Kobe in a single day. The tour includes a visit to Ijinkan Town ( a former foreign residence area ) in Kobe, hot spring bathing in Arima Onsen, an aerial cableway riding from Arima to Rokko and taking in a splendid view of Osaka Bay from the top of Mt. Rokko.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nara
Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~
We will visit Nara Park, where historic monuments and nature create calm and peaceful atmosphere. You'll see wild deer roaming hear and there. Walking in Nara-machi district will give us a chance to see an old merchants' townscape.
NARA - Journey into Shinto and Buddhism
The ancient city of Nara hosts 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with breathtaking architectural examples of the 8th century. This tour covers the historical sites in the journey of better understanding Buddhism and Shinto, interacting with some of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park, and enjoying walks in old forests.
One day tour in Nara
Highlights of the tour are feeding deers in Nara Park and overwhelmed by the great Budha, Daibutu. Tour also visits several historcal sites. As all historical sites are located in the Nara park, we will mainly walk through the park ( 5~8km ) The tour also can customized in line with the customer's interest, historical sites, cultural sites or shopping.
Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
(Highlights) The Great Buddha of Nara is a magnificent structure weighing some 500 tons. Originally built in 752 AD, the stature is 15.9 meters high excluding the pedestal and its face 4.8 meters long. Subsequently, it was damaged by natural disasasters, fires and wars and was repaired several times. It was completely rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1867). You will be amazed at the splendid image of the Great Buddha calmly seated on the pedestal with the look of a perfect repose and passionless calm. His right hand shows mercy and left hand, the wisdom of the universe. The building housing this huge image, The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, is the largest existing wooden structure in the world, having an area of 54 meters by 49 meters and a height of 45 meters. It was burned down by a fire twice, but was rebuilt in the Edo period. (How to enjoy) You will be amazed at how huge the Buddha image is. Immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere it creates amid the odor of burning incense, wonder at the ancient technology and the wisdom and the devotion of people. After all, you will never end up not being deeply impressed with the aura the "Daibutsu-sama" Great Buddha emits. Everywhere around the Great Buddha Hall, in the meantime, you can enjoy mixing with tame deer which do you no harm but ask you for food, "shika-sembei", which is being sold at the nearby stalls for 150 yen a pack containing some 50 grams of the deer food. You will feel very happy feeding, stroking and hugging the cute animal whose number exceeds, perhaps, 100. (Others) The transportation fare between Kyoto and Nara on a Kintetsu train is 620 yen (plus 510 yen if you take a limited express train). The entrance fee to Todaiji temple is 600 yen.
